(BPT) - There are some basic health practices that apply to everyone like eating well and getting exercise. Beyond these though, men and women actually have some distinct health considerations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women face many unique health concerns throughout their life that affect their overall well-being. May is Women's Health Month, a time when women are encouraged to prioritize their health. From physical ailments to mental health and everything in between, there are many areas of women's health that need special attention and care.
Taking care of your health and well-being doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, there are simple ways you can check in with yourself about your well-being. This Women's Health Month, Amazon Clinic - a virtual health care service available on Amazon.com - encourages women to take the following steps to ensure they can continue to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
1. Take stock of your sexual health
Your reproductive system is responsible for more than just sexual intimacy and pregnancy. Other systems in the body - like your endocrine and urinary systems - are closely tied to your reproductive health.
If you haven't been to a gynecologist in a while, consider scheduling an appointment. Regardless of sexual activity, if you're 21 years and older you should visit a health care provider once a year to review your sexual health. If you experience gynecological health conditions like urinary tract infections, vaginal dryness or yeast infections, you should speak with a doctor sooner rather than later.
If you aren't on birth control but want to be, this is the perfect time to discuss your options with a health care professional. Also, if you're unhappy with your current birth control method, you can talk to a doctor about switching medications, changing your dosage, or getting an arm implant.
2. Get help for menstrual pain
Period cramps aren't just annoying and inconvenient. For many women, it's a painful experience that can complicate everyday tasks. Studies suggest that up to 91% of women of reproductive age experience some level of period pain. Worse still, nearly one in three women report severe period pain.
While period cramps are common, they don't have to keep you from going to work, school or doing the things you love. You may find that self-care - like exercising and using heating pads - and taking over-the-counter pain medications are enough to manage your period pain. If not, though, you should talk with a health care provider so they can help you create a personalized period pain treatment plan. They may recommend specialized NSAIDs or hormonal contraception to help you weather menstrual pain.
3. Invest in healthy skin
Taking care of your skin can be a struggle for many women. Depending on the time of year, where you live, your diet, your menstrual cycle and your genes, your hair and skin can feel and look quite different. This requires personalized care to keep them healthy.
For example, while acne is commonly associated with youth, some adults continue to have acne into their 30s and beyond, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Some even experience acne for the first time in adulthood.
Also, throughout your life, your skin experiences everyday wear and tear like sun exposure that leads to aging and wrinkles. While there's nothing wrong with aging naturally, too much sun without protection can prematurely age your skin and lead to other health conditions, including skin cancer.
Talk with your doctor about your skin concerns to create a personalized skincare routine that will keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Beyond wearing sunscreen, eating a balanced diet and washing your face with gentle products, they may recommend over-the-counter and prescription treatments to manage your skin health.
Prioritize your health this month and beyond
Making time for your health is hard when you're busy living life. But you don't have to do it alone. This Women's Health Month, Amazon Clinic wants to help women get the care they need with the same level of convenience, affordability and speed people expect from Amazon.
Available 24/7 on Amazon.com, the service can connect you to clinicians for many common conditions like urinary tract infections, yeast infections, allergies, birth control, menstrual pain, vaginal dryness, and skin health - within hours, not weeks. Best of all, you'll know the price of the consultation upfront, and there's no appointment needed.
To get started, visit clinic.amazon.com/womens-health and select your condition and provider. After you answer a few questions, a doctor will send a message with a treatment plan - including any necessary prescriptions - to your phone or computer.
